“Proposition 8 had absolutely no effect on the ability of same-sex couples to become parents or the manner in which children are raised in California … and in no way modified the state’s laws governing parentage.”

(San Francisco, CA, February 7, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the August 2010 decision of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco striking down Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The Court affirmed the ruling of former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn [...]

(San Francisco, CA, February 6, 2012)—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is pleased to announce that Arcelia Hurtado, one of the nation’s leading civil rights attorneys, will be joining its staff as the new deputy director, responsible for overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, and helping lead future planning, strategy and development initiatives. For the [...]

(San Francisco, CA, February 2, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the public release of the video of the historic trial to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The court overturned a federal district court decision ordering the release of the video. [...]

(San Francisco, CA, February 1, 2012)—Yesterday, Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it would no longer financially support Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country to help them provide thousands of breast exams per year. Officials from Planned Parenthood, which offers wide-ranging reproductive health care services, with work focused on pro-choice decision-making and sexual education, [...]

By Daniel Redman, Esq. NCLR Elder Law Project Fellow Life-planning documents aren’t just for you. As long-time activist and blogger Michael Petrelis recently wrote, they serve to relieve stress and facilitate difficult decisions your loved ones will face without them. LGBT elders are more likely to have families of choice that aren’t recognized by the [...]

By Maya Rupert, Esq. NCLR Federal Policy Director In a powerful speech on Saturday, January 28th, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan made history when he unveiled HUD’s LGBT Equal Access policy—a new rule that will protect more than 5.5 million people across the country from discrimination in public housing and [...]

By Liz Seaton NCLR State Policy Director I head over to Annapolis, MD today to testify in favor of marriage equality in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. A little history and perspective on Maryland, where I live, and our struggle here for the freedom marry. I first testified in favor of a marriage equality bill [...]